1
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Pegu A, Lovelace SE, DeMouth ME, Cully MD, Morris DJ, Li Y, Wang K, Schmidt SD, Choe M, Liu C, Chen X, Viox E, Rowshan A, Taft JD, Zhang B, Xu K, Duan H, Ou L, Todd JP, Kong R, Li H, Shaw GM, Doria-Rose NA, Kwong PD, Koup RA, Mascola JR. Antibodies targeting the fusion peptide on the HIV envelope provide protection to rhesus macaques against mucosal SHIV challenge. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadh9039. [PMID: 38232141 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adh9039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
The fusion peptide (FP) on the HIV-1 envelope (Env) trimer can be targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Here, we evaluated the ability of a human FP-directed bNAb, VRC34.01, along with two vaccine-elicited anti-FP rhesus macaque mAbs, DFPH-a.15 and DF1W-a.01, to protect against simian-HIV (SHIV)BG505 challenge. VRC34.01 neutralized SHIVBG505 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.58 μg/ml, whereas DF1W-a.01 and DFPH-a.15 were 4- or 30-fold less potent, respectively. VRC34.01 was infused into four rhesus macaques at a dose of 10 mg/kg and four rhesus macaques at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. The animals were intrarectally challenged 5 days later with SHIVBG505. In comparison with all 12 control animals that became infected, all four animals infused with VRC34.01 (10 mg/kg) and three out of four animals infused with VRC34.01 (2.5 mg/kg) remained uninfected. Because of the lower potency of DF1W-a.01 and DFPH-a.15 against SHIVBG505, we infused both Abs at a higher dose of 100 mg/kg into four rhesus macaques each, followed by SHIVBG505 challenge 5 days later. Three of four animals that received DF1W-a.01 were protected against infection, whereas all animals that received DFPH-a.15 were protected. Overall, the protective serum neutralization titers observed in these animals were similar to what has been observed for other bNAbs in similar SHIV infection models and in human clinical trials. In conclusion, FP-directed mAbs can thus provide dose-dependent in vivo protection against mucosal SHIV challenges, supporting the development of prophylactic vaccines targeting the HIV-1 Env FP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarendra Pegu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sarah E Lovelace
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Megan E DeMouth
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michelle D Cully
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Daniel J Morris
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yingying Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Keyun Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Stephen D Schmidt
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Misook Choe
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cuiping Liu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xuejun Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Elise Viox
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ariana Rowshan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Justin D Taft
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kai Xu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hongying Duan
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Li Ou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John-Paul Todd
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - George M Shaw
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicole A Doria-Rose
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter D Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard A Koup
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - John R Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Dang M, Wu LJ, Zhang SR, Zhu JR, Hu YZ, Yang CX, Zhang XY. MS2 Virus-like Particles as a Versatile Peptide Presentation Platform: Insights into the Deterministic Abilities for Accommodating Heterologous Peptide Lengths. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3704-3715. [PMID: 37946498 PMCID: PMC10729756 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures with the potential to present heterologous peptides at high density, thereby triggering heightened immunogenicity. RNA bacteriophage MS2 VLPs are a compelling delivery platform among them. However, a notable hurdle arises from the immune response toward MS2 coat protein, swiftly eliminating subsequent vaccinations via the same vector. Although larger inserts effectively mask carrier epitopes, current research predominantly focuses on displaying short conserved peptides (<30 aa). A systematic evaluation regarding the deterministic ability of MS2 VLPs as a platform for presenting heterologous peptides remains a gap. In light of this, we employed the "single-chain dimer" paradigm to scrutinize the tolerance of MS2 VLPs for peptide/protein insertions. The results unveiled functional MS2 VLP assembly solely for inserts smaller than 91 aa. Particularly noteworthy is the largest insertion achieved on the MS2 VLPs to date: the RNA helicase A (RHA) dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBD1). Attempts to introduce additional linkers or empty coat subunits fail to augment the expression level or assembly of the MS2 VLPs displaying dsRBD1, affirming 91 aa as the upper threshold for exogenous protein presentation. By illuminating the precise confines of MS2 VLPs in accommodating distinct peptide lengths, our study informs the selection of appropriate peptide and protein dimensions. This revelation not only underscores the scope of MS2 VLPs but also establishes a pivotal reference point, facilitating the strategic manipulation of MS2 VLPs to design next-generation epitope/antibody-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Dang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Keng Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Long J. Wu
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Si R. Zhang
- Xi’an
Middle School of Shaanxi Province, Fengcheng Wulu 69, Weiyang, Xi’an 710006, China
- Department
of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
- HSS,
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Jian R. Zhu
- School of
Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Yu Z. Hu
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Chen X. Yang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Xiao Y. Zhang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
- Centre
of Molecular & Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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3
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Poh XY, Lee IR, Lim C, Teo J, Rao S, Chia PY, Ong SWX, Lee TH, Lin RJH, Ng LFP, Ren EC, Lin RTP, Wang LF, Renia L, Lye DC, Young BE. Evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of different COVID-19 vaccine combinations in healthy individuals: study protocol for a randomized, subject-blinded, controlled phase 3 trial [PRIBIVAC]. Trials 2022; 23:498. [PMID: 35710572 PMCID: PMC9201789 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 2021, COVID-19 vaccination programs worldwide focused on raising population immunity through the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. In Singapore, two mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273) and the inactivated vaccine CoronaVac are currently authorized under the National Vaccination Programme for use as the primary vaccination series. More than 90% of the Singapore population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of December 2021. With the demonstration that vaccine effectiveness wanes in the months after vaccination, and the emergence of Omicron which evades host immunity from prior infection and/or vaccination, attention in many countries has shifted to how best to maintain immunity through booster vaccinations. METHODS The objectives of this phase 3, randomized, subject-blinded, controlled clinical trial are to assess the safety and immunogenicity of heterologous boost COVID-19 vaccine regimens (intervention groups 1-4) compared with a homologous boost regimen (control arm) in up to 600 adult volunteers. As non-mRNA vaccine candidates may enter the study at different time points depending on vaccine availability and local regulatory approval, participants will be randomized at equal probability to the available intervention arms at the time of randomization. Eligible participants will have received two doses of a homologous mRNA vaccine series with BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 at least 6 months prior to enrolment. Participants will be excluded if they have a history of confirmed SARS or SARS-CoV-2 infection, are immunocompromised, or are pregnant. Participants will be monitored for adverse events and serious adverse events by physical examinations, laboratory tests and self-reporting. Blood samples will be collected at serial time points [pre-vaccination/screening (day - 14 to day 0), day 7, day 28, day 180, day 360 post-vaccination] for assessment of antibody and cellular immune parameters. Primary endpoint is the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulins at day 28 post-booster and will be measured against wildtype SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern. Comprehensive immune profiling of the humoral and cellular immune response to vaccination will be performed. DISCUSSION This study will provide necessary data to understand the quantity, quality, and persistence of the immune response to a homologous and heterologous third booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines. This is an important step in developing COVID-19 vaccination programs beyond the primary series. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05142319 . Registered on 2 Dec 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Ying Poh
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | - I Russel Lee
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Clarissa Lim
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jefanie Teo
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Suma Rao
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Po Ying Chia
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sean W X Ong
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tau Hong Lee
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ray J H Lin
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lisa F P Ng
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Lab, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ee Chee Ren
- Singapore Immunology Network, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Lin-Fa Wang
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Renia
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- A*STAR Infectious Diseases Lab, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Chien Lye
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Barnaby E Young
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore.
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
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4
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Epitope-Based Vaccines against the Chlamydia trachomatis Major Outer Membrane Protein Variable Domain 4 Elicit Protection in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060875. [PMID: 35746483 PMCID: PMC9227494 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted pathogen, yet a vaccine is not currently available. Here, we used the immunogenic bacteriophage MS2 virus-like particle (VLP) technology to engineer vaccines against the Ct major outer membrane protein variable domain 4 (MOMP-VD4), which contains a conserved neutralizing epitope (TTLNPTIAG). A previously described monoclonal antibody to the MOMP-VD4 (E4 mAb) is capable of neutralizing all urogenital Ct serovars and binds this core epitope, as well as several non-contiguous amino acids. This suggests that this core epitope may require conformational context in order to elicit neutralizing antibodies to Ct. In order to identify immunogens that could elicit neutralizing antibodies to the TTLNPTIAG epitope, we used two approaches. First, we used affinity selection with a bacteriophage MS2-VLP library displaying random peptides in a constrained, surface-exposed loop to identify potential E4 mAb mimotopes. After four rounds of affinity selection, we identified a VLP-displayed peptide (HMVGSTKWTN) that could bind to the E4 mAb and elicited serum IgG that bound weakly to Ct elementary bodies by ELISA. Second, two versions of the core conserved TTLNPTIAG epitope (TTLNPTIAG and TTLNPTIAGA) were recombinantly expressed on the coat protein of the MS2 VLP in a constrained, surface-exposed loop. Mouse immune sera IgG bound to Ct elementary bodies by ELISA. Immunization with these MS2 VLPs provided protection from vaginal Chlamydia infection in a murine challenge model. These data suggest that short peptide epitopes targeting the MOMP-VD4 could be appropriate for Ct vaccine design when displayed on an immunogenic bacteriophage VLP vaccine platform.
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5
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Ivleva VB, Gowetski DB, Lei QP. Streamlining Peptide Mapping LC-MS Approach for Studying Fusion Peptide-Conjugated Vaccine Immunogens. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2021; 32:2777-2790. [PMID: 34751576 PMCID: PMC10157672 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.1c00211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A newly introduced HIV-1 vaccination utilizes a fusion peptide (FP)-based immunogen-carrier conjugate system, where the FP is coupled to a protein carrier via a bifunctional linker. Such heterogeneous materials present a challenge for the routine product quality assessment. Peptide mapping LC-MS analysis has become an indispensable tool for assessing the site-specific conjugation ratio, estimating site occupancy, monitoring conjugation profiles, and analyzing post-translational modifications (PTMs) and disulfide bonds as well as high-order protein structures. To streamline the peptide mapping approach to match the needs of a fast-paced conjugate vaccine product characterization, a selection of signature fragment ions generated by MSE fragmentation was successfully applied to assess the product quality at the different stages of a conjugates' manufacturing process with an emphasis on monitoring the amount of a reactive linker. This technique was employed in different conjugation studies of the protein carriers, linkers, and FP compositions as well as the cross-linked species formed during stress-degradation studies. Multiple derivatives of the intermediate and final conjugated products formed during a multistaged synthesis were monitored by means of the sensitive extracted-ion chromatogram (XIC) profiling and were included in the estimation of the site-specific conjugation loads. Differentiation of the conjugates with various FP compositions was demonstrated. The conjugation site occupancy was evaluated with respect to the solvent exposure of Lys residues. The findings of these LC-MS studies greatly aided in choosing the best conjugation strategy to ensure that the final recombinant tetanus toxoid heavy chain (rTTHc) product is chemically inert and represents a safe vaccine candidate for clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera B Ivleva
- Vaccine Production Program, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, United States
| | - Daniel B Gowetski
- Vaccine Production Program, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, United States
| | - Q Paula Lei
- Vaccine Production Program, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878, United States
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6
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Crooks ET, Almanza F, D’Addabbo A, Duggan E, Zhang J, Wagh K, Mou H, Allen JD, Thomas A, Osawa K, Korber BT, Tsybovsky Y, Cale E, Nolan J, Crispin M, Verkoczy LK, Binley JM. Engineering well-expressed, V2-immunofocusing HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein membrane trimers for use in heterologous prime-boost vaccine regimens. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009807. [PMID: 34679128 PMCID: PMC8565784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 vaccine immunofocusing strategies may be able to induce broadly-reactive neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Here, we engineered a panel of diverse, membrane-resident native HIV-1 trimers vulnerable to two broad targets-the V2 apex and fusion peptide (FP). Selection criteria included i) high expression and ii) infectious function, so that trimer neutralization sensitivity can be profiled in pseudovirus (PV) assays. Initially, we boosted the expression of 17 candidate trimers by truncating gp41 and introducing a gp120-gp41 SOS disulfide to prevent gp120 shedding. "Repairs" were made to fill glycan holes and eliminate other strain-specific aberrations. A new neutralization assay allowed PV infection when our standard assay was insufficient. Trimers with exposed V3 loops, a target of non-NAbs, were discarded. To try to increase V2-sensitivity, we removed clashing glycans and modified the C-strand. Notably, a D167N mutation improved V2-sensitivity in several cases. Glycopeptide analysis of JR-FL trimers revealed near complete sequon occupation and that filling the N197 glycan hole was well-tolerated. In contrast, sequon optimization and inserting/removing glycans at other positions frequently had global "ripple" effects on glycan maturation and sequon occupation throughout the gp120 outer domain and gp41. V2 MAb CH01 selectively bound to trimers with small high mannose glycans near the base of the V1 loop, thereby avoiding clashes. Knocking in a rare N49 glycan was found to perturb gp41 glycans, increasing FP NAb sensitivity-and sometimes improving expression. Finally, a biophysical analysis of VLPs revealed that i) ~25% of particles bear Env spikes, ii) spontaneous particle budding is high and only increases 4-fold upon Gag transfection, and iii) Env+ particles express ~30-40 spikes. Taken together, we identified 7 diverse trimers with a range of sensitivities to two targets to allow rigorous testing of immunofocusing vaccine concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma T. Crooks
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Francisco Almanza
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Alessio D’Addabbo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Erika Duggan
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Cellarcus BioSciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Kshitij Wagh
- Theoretical Biology & Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Huihui Mou
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida, United States of America
| | - Joel D. Allen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Alyssa Thomas
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Keiko Osawa
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Bette T. Korber
- Theoretical Biology & Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Evan Cale
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John Nolan
- Scintillon Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
- Cellarcus BioSciences, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent K. Verkoczy
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - James M. Binley
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, California, United States of America
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7
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Warner NL, Frietze KM. Development of Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particle Vaccines Displaying Conserved Epitopes of Dengue Virus Non-Structural Protein 1. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:726. [PMID: 34358143 PMCID: PMC8310087 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is a major global health problem, with over half of the world's population at risk of infection. Despite over 60 years of efforts, no licensed vaccine suitable for population-based immunization against DENV is available. Here, we describe efforts to engineer epitope-based vaccines against DENV non-structural protein 1 (NS1). NS1 is present in DENV-infected cells as well as secreted into the blood of infected individuals. NS1 causes disruption of endothelial cell barriers, resulting in plasma leakage and hemorrhage. Immunizing against NS1 could elicit antibodies that block NS1 function and also target NS1-infected cells for antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. We identified highly conserved regions of NS1 from all four DENV serotypes. We generated synthetic peptides to these regions and chemically conjugated them to bacteriophage Qβ virus-like particles (VLPs). Mice were immunized two times with the candidate vaccines and sera were tested for the presence of antibodies that bound to the cognate peptide, recombinant NS1 from all four DENV serotypes, and DENV-2-infected cells. We found that two of the candidate vaccines elicited antibodies that bound to recombinant NS1, and one candidate vaccine elicited antibodies that bound to DENV-infected cells. These results show that an epitope-specific vaccine against conserved regions of NS1 could be a promising approach for DENV vaccines or therapeutics to bind circulating NS1 protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikole L. Warner
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Kathryn M. Frietze
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
- Clinical and Translational Science Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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8
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Gibb B, Hyman P, Schneider CL. The Many Applications of Engineered Bacteriophages-An Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14070634. [PMID: 34208847 PMCID: PMC8308837 DOI: 10.3390/ph14070634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their independent discovery by Frederick Twort in 1915 and Felix d’Herelle in 1917, bacteriophages have captured the attention of scientists for more than a century. They are the most abundant organisms on the planet, often outnumbering their bacterial hosts by tenfold in a given environment, and they constitute a vast reservoir of unexplored genetic information. The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistant pathogens has renewed interest in the use of naturally obtained phages to combat bacterial infections, aka phage therapy. The development of tools to modify phages, genetically or chemically, combined with their structural flexibility, cargo capacity, ease of propagation, and overall safety in humans has opened the door to a myriad of applications. This review article will introduce readers to many of the varied and ingenious ways in which researchers are modifying phages to move them well beyond their innate ability to target and kill bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Gibb
- Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Theobald Science Center, Room 423, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000, USA
- Correspondence: (B.G.); (C.L.S.)
| | - Paul Hyman
- Department of Biology and Toxicology, Ashland University, 401 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805, USA;
| | - Christine L. Schneider
- Department of Life Sciences, Carroll University, 100 North East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186, USA
- Correspondence: (B.G.); (C.L.S.)
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